High stakes final round in store - Waterford SHC Round 4

Last weekend's results leave a couple of issues still to be decided as we enter the final round. Group 2 sees Ballygunner, Abbeyside and Dungarvan fight it out for two places in the quarters. In Group 1, Lismore and Tallow are vying for a single spot.

 

The game of the weekend was a keenly contested local dispute between Ballyduff Upper and Tallow which finished nineteen points each. The sides were level eleven times and despite the cagey nature of the contest at times, fifteen points came thick and fast in the final fifteen minutes. The Bridesiders, with Thomas Ryan in flying form, established a four point cushion entering the last ten minutes. Ballyduff again summoned on their powers of resilience with Tom Feeney driving them forward. The lively double act of Kevin Casey and Mikey Kearney got the scores required to secure a draw and progress to the next phase. Lismore's fate is now out of their own hands after going down by six points to De La Salle (4-12 to 2-12). The champions held them at arms length all through as Adam Farrell and John Mullane slotted first half goals. Brendan Landers' charges did put some doubt their minds with second half goals from Maurice Shanahan and Dave Bennett but Eoin Madigan and Conan Watt struck for Salle. Fourmilewater did the needful to advance in unconvincing fashion against An Rinn (0-18 to 0-12). In a dismal first half, a Donie Breathnach inspired An Rinn led by 0-6 to 0-4. Their star performer was forced off at the break however as Liam Lawlor and company seized control. They hit the last seven points, with Jamie Barron and Seamus Lawlor prominent in the scoring stakes.

In the double bill of Group 2 action at Walsh Park on Saturday, Passage continued their quiet run up the rails under Peter Queally. John Whitty's persistent showing ensured that they defeated Mount Sion (2-15 to 2-12) and maintained their unbeaten record with seven points out of eight. Sion edged the first half by 1-6 to 1-5 with Eoin Kelly and Michael Gaffney exchanging goals. In an enjoyable second period, Sean Ryan's goal seemed sufficient for Anthony Kirwan's men as they charged four clear. Whitty put the head down however and forced a wonder save from Ian O’Regan. Richard Hurley, Pa Walsh and Eoin Kelly pared the deficit down to one before Whitty sliced through and drove his shot hard to the far corner. Kelly wrapped up the win to finish with 1-8 to his credit.

In the second game, Abbeyside handed out a drubbing to understrength Roanmore (6-20 to 0-13) as Patrick Hurney shot a staggering 5-2. The full forward has now rattled off 7-5 in four games and Mark Fives also shone on the night with a tally of 1-7.

 

A determined Ballygunner only had victory on their mind on Sunday night at Fraher Field and they got the job done against Dungarvan (1-19 to 2-13). They coasted into a 1-12 to 0-6 lead by the mid way point. Pauric Mahony cleaned up with seven first half points, four long range frees and three from play. He also created the goal on the stroke of half time for Shane O’Sullivan who drilled a low stinger past Darren Duggan. Mahony accumulated eleven points in all and corner men Brian O’Sullivan and JJ Hutchinson also chipped in handsomely with seven points between them. Gavin Crotty was sent off on second yellow card on 45 minutes as Jamie Nagle and Ryan Donnelly netted consolation strikes for Dungarvan.